Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-09-27
FORTY-F0UR ROUNDS.
A TERRIBLE SLUGGING MATCH BOUGHT IN
THE TWBNTY-F0UR FOOT RING
Billy Watson and Tom Duty Disfgure Bach Other
for Two Hours and Fifteen hinutss-A
Bloody Battle That is Finally
Declared a Draw.

kANKAKEE, Ills, 26.-One of the
gsmest prizN fights ever witnessed in Illi-
nois, occurred near here last Sunday morn
ing. Three hundred young men walled
through the wet weeds near town, and en-
tered an old shanty close beside the rail-
road track
Once inside the shanty five lamps were
lighted, and the doors securely locked.
The master of ceremonies announced that
Billy Watson, OF Chicago, and Tom Dutfy,
of fOhio, were to fight to a finish, with two
ounce gloves, for $3.50 a side and the entire
gate receipts, which amounted to $500
more.
Duty, who is % years old, stripped at
l4O pounds. Watson is % years old and
weighs l3s pounds. Shortly after 3 o'clock
both men stepped into the middle OF the
ring and the battle began. After sparrinG
for an opening, Duffy landed lightly on
WstsOn's stomach, and in return received
a lett-handsr on the iOwl
Fierce lighting followed and the round
ended in a clinch. Both men we're eau
iiOus in the SecOud round and the fighting,
which was weak, was done ut long range.
In the third round Duffy got crack on the
nOSe that started Claret. First blood was
claimed for Watson and allowed. Cautious
lighting followed until the seventh round,
when Duffy caught on an upper cut from
Watson right that lifted him of his feet
and laid him against the ropes. He re-
covered in tine shape, however, and sent
Watson to his knees with a blow under the
right ear. When Duffy went to his corner
after the secOnd round, Murphy, his sec
Ond, washed the blood from his face and
sent him mp in clean shape.
Weak fighting followed until the twelfth
round, when Duffy forced Watson to his
corner, where he dealt him two heavy
blows on the nose. Watson replied with
swinging right handler, which split
Dufy's lip and sent a stream of blood run
ming down his neck and bosom. When
the men came up in the thirteenth round
they presented battered appearance.
Duty'S breast and arms were smeared
with blood and his mouth looked as though
it ran from ear to ear Watson was bleed
ing freely too, but he appeared to have the
better wind. The betting was now in
favor of Watson, but friends OF the Ohio
lad were not slow in covering all good
odds.
In the 18th round Duty broke q small
bone in his right wrist in attempting to
reach WatSou's Iugular, but he continued
to tight despite the pain his selfiutlicted
injury gave hju. la the 18th round Wat
son hrokeDuny 5 nose with swinging Left
handler and followed it up with a rattling
blow on the neck. For = moment the
Ohio hoy wavCrcd, hut the calling of time
gave him q chance to get his wind.
Terrific slugging followed until the 2Oth
round, Duffy directing his attention to his
opponents bellows and Watson, dealing
nose. Both men were coveted with eacn
others blood and the floor WAS bespattered
with crimson spots.
At one time the faces oi the game fight
ers were completely plastered with gore,
and Duffy's upper lip, which had been
split nearly to his broken horn, hung upon
his chin.
Asit was now after 6 o'clock the lamps
yets extiuguiShed, the doors thrown open
and the fight confined by daylight. Duffy 5
terrific body blows IN the Goth, Dist, ed
and 23d rounds had a demOraliZing effect
on Watson, who, mp to this time, had es'
caped much Disagreement. He began To
blow in an OminOus manner, and great
Jumps and welJS appeared ON his breast
The terrific work of the OhiOan was loudly
cbeerei, and even money was offered and
covered that he would yet knock out the
| Chicapoau. In the oath round watson
sent his left against Dutfy's right eye anu
| a moment later il was sound asleep. Inc
/ Ohioan's other eye began to curl up too,
| but his seconds managed tn stralghten II
out in time for the next round.
Roth men spared for wind in the 25th,
26th, 9th and 2Sth rounds, but IN the
both Duffy, who had mended his bellows,
renewed bis attack on WatsOn'srlbs. The
fgbting was very fierce in this round
Wstson's blows on his opponents fact
having the effect OF sending the blood tiy'
inc m streams. The 32d, SD, 34th, 35th
and 36th rounds were of the hammer anC
tongs" order, each man trying 10 get IN
lnockout blow. Watson came near golnt
down three times in these rounds unde
the catapult blows OF the Buckeye Boy
bnt he managed to pull himself togethe
b.fore his opponent could follow up his al
vantage. The broken nose came 10 To-
more punishment during these rounds an'
. once the Chicago boy reached for ant
, caurht Dufg's well eye. In the 5Hi
!, DutTy sent Watson to the ropes with nrg
lug lett handler, but caught solid blow u
the mouth in return aud cllnch followed
and continued until time was called.
The spectators declared that they ha'
seen er ough and begged them to call IN
I 6ght a draw. II was now broad dayhgh
, and people were stirring out OF doors. In
seconds, however, wanted TO see the bgn
ont TO a finish and sent their men up 10
the thirty-eighth round. Both were to
weak to do any effective work, and IN IN
n forty-iourth rOund the men were so cleal
= Iy exhausted that the referee called tn
ri 6ybt a draw. The contest lasted tW
bours and fourteen minutes.